loO 


^HEODORE  ]jUND  ^IIQU^T  LJrEVE 


By  John  uri  Lloyd 


REPRINTED  FROM  THE 

ECLECTIC  MEDICAL  JOURNAL 
Cincinnati,  February,  1900. 


THEODORE  LUND  AUGUST  GREVE 


THEODORE  LUND  AUGUST  GREYE, 

Born  April  2d,  1830.  Died  December  9th,  1898. 

SOME  men  voice  themselves  in  printed  words,  and  but  for 
those  words  which  rub  soon  away,  they  would  have  no  records. 
The  works  of  other  men  are  engraved  in  deeds.  The  first  are  watch- 
ing ever  for  a chance  to  catch  an  idea  to  attach  to  their  own  name, 
purloining  from  the  deeds  of  others  in  order  to  be  perpetuated  in  print. 
The  printed  words  become  moth-eaten,  the  paper  turns  yellow,  the 
book  disappears  and  their  names  too,  but  the  deeds  of  him  who  trusted 
not  to  ink  and  pen  move  on. 

The  purloiner  has,  however,  served  a good  purpose,  selfish  though 
the  incentive  has  been,  for  he  has  spread  abroad  the  thought  of  him 
who  created.  Useful  then  is  each,  the  man  who  serves  to  bring  these 
deeds  before  others,  and  he  whose  deeds  are  recorded  in  his  works. 

To  the  second  class  belongs  the  subject  of  this  sketch  ; whoever 
seeks  to  learn  of  what  he  did,  must  search  the  works  of  others  or  listen 
to  their  words.  Indifferent  to  the  class  of  those  who  read,  and 
alike  indifferent  to  self  fame  or  conspicuity,  Dr.  T.  L.  A.  Greve  moved 
among  men  a thinker  and  a reasoner,  a student  and  a philosopher,  a 
critic  who  had  at  his  command  the  richest  store  of  fact,  both  scientific 
and  historical,  gained  by  study,  practice  and  travel,  that  ever  it 
chanced  my  good  fortune  to  meet.  I make  no  claim  to  exceptional 
advantages  or  observation,  but  believe  that  I have  been  fortunate  in 
the  social  contacts  I have  enjoyed  with  men  of  letters,  science  and 
affairs,  among  whom  Dr.  Greve  seems  to  me  to  have  stood  conspicu- 
ous as  one  alike  at  home  in  all  the  fields. 

One  year  ago  I took  upon  myself  what  is  still  a sad  but  not  an  un- 
welcome duty,  that  of  writing  a brief  biography  of  this  friend.  At 
that  date,  too  near  was  the  voice  and  face  of  him  whose  works  I was 
attempting  to  review  and  establish  in  print,  but  time  has  mellowed 
the  pain  that  always  follows  when  close  upon  the  ending  of  a com- 
rade’s life,  one  thinks  of  his  face  and  form,  deeds  and  actions.  And 
now  when  comes  a melancholy  satisfaction  as  I write  I shall  try  and 
bring  my  friends  to  know  Dr.  Greve  as  I knew  him,  and  make  a brief 
record  of  events  that  concerned  his  early  life. 

Theodore  Lund  August  Greve  was  born  April  2d,  1830,  at  St. 
Michael’s  Donn,  in  Holstein,  Germany.  He  was  the  only  child  of 
Joachim  Greve  and  Anna  Margaretha  Lund.  His  father  was  a prom- 


f 3&B43 


4 


THEODORE  L.  A.  GREVE. 


inent  teacher  and  writer,  publishing  a number  of  standard  books  on 
educational  subjects,  one  being  of  particular  importance,  a history  of 
the  Duchy  of  Holstein — a standard  work  which  is  to  be  found  in  the 
Harvard  and  other  libraries. 

Dr.  Greve  received  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  that  neigh- 
borhood, and  when  the  family  moved  to  the  popular  University  city 
of  Kiel,  he  was  enabled  to  take  advantage  of  the  opportunities  there 
presented,  and  obtained  a classical  education.  His  father  was,  as  has 
been  said,  himself  a man  of  learning  and  scholarship,  and  a somewhat 
strict  disciplinarian,  and  the  habits  of  study  acquired  in  his  youth, 
and  impressed  upon  the  subject  of  this  sketch  by  association  with  his 
father,  clung  to  him  throughout  life,  so  that  education  with  him  was 
not  ended  until  the  very  day  of  his  death.  He  acquired  a knowledge 
of  English  in  his  youth,  which  was  so  accurate  and  idiomatic  that  he 
used  it  as  freely  as  he  did  his  mother  tongue.  He  also  gained  a good 
knowledge  of  Latin,  Greek,  French,  Spanish,  and  Italian,  and  a very 
thorough  grounding  in  the  natural  sciences. 

In  1848  the  family  moved  to  America,  settling  on  a farm  in  the 
wilds  of  Southern  Illinois.  In  1854  Theodore  came  to  Cincinnati  and 
took  employment  in  T.  C.  Thorp’s  drug  store  on  the  corner  of  Court 
and  Plum.  About  1858  he  left  Dr.  Thorp,  and  was  for  a short  time 
in  charge  of  the  laboratory  of  Wm.  S.  Merrell  & Co.  Between  1858 
and  1860  he  studied  medicine,  and  received  the  degree  of  M.  D.  from 
the  Eclectic  Medical  Institute  of  this  city,  with  which  he  held  official 
connection  as  Vice  President  until,  on  account  of  feeble  health,  he 
resigned  a year  before  his  death. 

The  summer  of  1860  was  spent  on  his  father’s  farm,  after  which  he 
returned  to  Cincinnati,  and  in  that  year  purchased  the  property  and 
drug  store  on  the  south  east  corner  of  Sixth  and  John  sts,  where  he 
continued  in  business  until  the  day  of  his  death. 

In  1862  he  married  Clara  Esther,  the  daughter  of  Jonas  R.  Emrie ; 
one  son,  Charles  Theodore,  formerly  Assistant  U.  S.  Attorney,  in  Cin- 
cinnati, and  now  Referee  in  Bankruptcy,  being  the  result  of  the  union. 
His  wife  died  in  1873,  and  in  June,  1875,  he  married  Harriet  Fisher, 
daughter  of  Elwood  Fisher,  By  this  union  there  survive  two  sons, 
Clifford,  an  officer  of  the  Sixth  U.  S.  V.  Infantry  during  the  recent 
war,  and  Brennick,  and  a daughter,  Julia.  A half  brother,  Chas.  M. 
Greve,  resides  in  Chattanooga. 

For  many  successive  years  Dr.  Greve  held  office  in  the  Cincinnati 
College  of  Pharmacy,  and  always  took  an  active  part  in  both  State 
and  National  pharmaceutical  affairs.  He  declined  a professorship 
in  both  the  Eclectic  Medical  Institute  and  the  Cincinnati  College  of 
Pharmacy,  preferring  to  devote  that  time  to  study  and  recreation. 

But  the  relation  of  bare  facts,  can  not  tell  the  story  of  this  man  as 
I learned  it  by  an  acquaintance  of  thirty- five  years,  and  which  grew 


THEODORE  L.  A.  GREVE.'’  5 

finally  into  an  intimate  friendship,  extending  over  much  of  the  latter 
part  of  that  period. 

As  a chemist  and  a pharmacist  Dr.  Greve  stood  second  to  none  in 
this  city.  He  was  versed  in  both  sections  of  these  handmaid  sciences 
not  superficially,  but  in  every  way  as  one  foremost  in  knowledge.  An 
accomplished  linguist,  he  drew  from  other  languages,  appealing  to 
first  hands  for  his  information,  and  in  this  direction  he  was  ever 
abreast  of  the  times.  Touch  upon  any  subject  connected  with  phar- 
macy, past  or  present,  and  Dr.  Greve  would  be  found  at  home ; touch 
upon  any  section  of  chemistry,  practical  or  theoretical,  and  he  would 
be  found  no  less  proficient.  When,  about  thirty  years  ago,  the  old 
nomenclature  in  chemistry  was  displaced  by  the  new,  Dr.  Greve,  un- 
like some  others  of  his  age,  took  up  the  new  and  carried  it  in  detail  to 
the  very  day  of  his  death. 

But  as  a pharmacist  was  he  known  to  Cincinnatians,  rather  than  as 
a chemist,  and  this  is  the  kind  of  pharmacist  I knew  him  to  be — 
abreast  of  the  few  and  ahead  of  the  multitude  ; a practical  pharmacist 
in  that  for  over  the  third  of  a century  he  not  only  expertly  manufac- 
tured, but  accurately  dispensed  medicines.  His  preparations  were 
above  criticism  ; his  record  as  a dispensing  pharmacist  such  that  no 
charge  of  neglect  or  error  was  ever  made  against  him.  For  many 
years  Dr.  Greve  and  the  author  of  this  biography  were  in  some  direc- 
tions competitors  in  business.  This  rivalry  would  have  continued 
longer  than  it  did,  had  Dr.  Greve  cared  more  for  business ; but,  con- 
tent in  the  enjoyment  of  his  well  earned  intellectual  laurels,  indiffer- 
ent to  the  attractions  that  lure  some  men  to  take  upon  themselves  an- 
noying responsibilities,  he  preferred  a moderate  business  establish - 
lishment  and  peace  of  mind  and  time  for  recreation,  social  intercourse 
and  study,  to  great  cares  and  business  slavery.  Thus  a master  in 
pharmacy,  he  lived  a peaceful  life  and  enjoyed  the  time  gained  by 
his  philosophic  methods,  laying  up  intellectual  treasures  that  were 
freely  dispensed  to  whoever  came  in  contact  with  him. 

Dr.  Greve  was  a physician  and  versed  in  therapy  as  well  as  pharmacy. 
He  combined  the  three  qualities  that  make  a professional  pharmacist, 
and  as  has  been  said,  never  has  this  city  of  Cincinnati  seen  a man 
better  versed  in  all  that  conspires  to  make  a qualified  general  phar- 
macist. He  gave  to  the  authors  of  our  standard  works,  and  gave  to 
those  who,  without  credit,  used  his  information  aslif  it  were  their  own. 
He  contributed  to  both  medical  and  pharmaceutical  print  directly  and 
indirectly,  and  kept  no  record  of  these  deeds.  The  files  of  the  E.  M. 
Journal  bear  his  name  as  the  contributor  of  many  papers ; the  Ameri- 
can Dispensatory,  by  John  King,  credits  him  freely  with  the  most  valu- 
able articles,  and  the  work  ‘‘Drugs  and  Medicines  of  North  America” 
by  the  writer,  was  enriched  by'information'properly  credited  to  him, 
which  no  other  man  could  give.  In  this  connection,  be  it  said,  that 
Dr.  Greve  knew  the  early  history  of  hydrastis  and  the  connected  Eclec- 


THEODORE  L.  A.  GREVE. 


6 

tic  concentrations  and  resinoids,  better  than  any  man  living  during 
the  past  decade,  and  to  him,  the  present  writer  turned  for  data  that 
are  yet  to  be  put  into  print  on  that  subject. 

But  not  in  this  city  alone  was  the  work  of  Dr.  Greve  valued  : he  was 
known  to  pharmacists  throughout  the  state  and  throughout  America. 
An  active  member  of  the  Cincinnati  College  of  Pharmacy,  of  the  Ohio 
Pharmaceutical  Association,  and  of  the  American  Pharmaceutical  Asso 
ciation,  he  contributed  to  one  and  all  by  voice  and  words,  being  elec 
ted  to  honorary  membership  in  the  State  Society  at  the  meeting  held 
the  year  of  his  death. 

If  not  the  best  debator  and  most  forcible  advocate  in  all  their  member 
ship  of  a cause  championed  by  him,  he  was  surely  second  to  no  other 
man.  Quick  at  catching  an  opponent’s  weak  points,  he  was  no  less 
expert  in  pressing  his  own  strong  ones,  and  thus  he  usually  managed 
to  quickly  place  his  antagonist  upon  the  defensive  ; never  have  I seen 
a man  better  qualified  to  keep  him  there.  And  yet,  with  all  his  know- 
ledge, his  argumentive  gift,  his  keen  perception  and  his  linguistic 
powers,  Dr.  Greve  wrote  but  little,  preferring  to  give  to  others  through 
word  of  mouth,  rather  than  by  mark  of  pen.  And  this  is  why  pharma- 
ceutical literature  eon  tains  comparatively  little  from  one  who  might, 
had  he  but  inclined,  have  given  so  freely. 

As  a literatus,  Dr.  Greve  was  perhaps  best  known  to  non- profess- 
ional persons.  A reader  of  the  best  thought  of  the  best  men,  he  was 
ready  at  any  time,  to  speak  understanding^  concerning  subjects, 
both  current  and  past,  of  general  interest  to  mankind.  History,  both 
ancient  and  modern,  travel  and  biography,  were  to  him  alike  familiar. 
He  had  traveled  much,  and  had  taken  the  opportunities  to  attend  the 
best  lectures  given  by  those  who  travelled  and  taught  by  lectures, 
adding  to  his  fund  of  information  by  every  method  possible.  Taking 
these  things  into  connection  with  his  general  scientific  knowledge, 
for  he  was  versed  in  the  sciences  generally,  as  well  as  in  chemistry 
and  pharmacy,  it  is  no  wonder  that  the  conversational  powers  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  were  such  as  to  command  exceptional  attention. 
I have  listened  to  him  by  the  hour,  as  subject  after  subject  came  be- 
fore us  ; never  did  I tire  of  listening  to  this  man  whose  fund  of  infor- 
mation seemed  inexhaustible. 

In  politics  Dr.  Greve  was  democratic,  but  conservatively  so.  He 
believed  in  the  general  doctrines  of  the  fathers  in  democracy,  but  he 
did  not  favor  free  silver  coinage,  believing  it  not  to  be  a doctrine  of 
his  party.  For  that  reason,  he  did  not  cast  his  vote  for  the  nominee 
of  the  Chicago  Convention.  He  opposed  political  corruption  and 
vigorously  combatted  the  methods  in  vogue,  whereby  conventions  and 
elections  were  manipulated  by  the  few  to  the  disfranchisement  of  the 
many.  These  and  similar  lamentable  subjects,  the  suppression  of 
which  is  of  vital  importance  to  the  good  of  the  country,  he  vehemently 


THEODORE  L A.  GREVE. 


ri 


attacked  regardless  of  business  complications,  and  most  forcibly  too, 
as  many  who  suffered  his  displeasure  can  testify. 

Dr.  Greve  was  strongly  antagonistic  to  prohibition.  He  contended 
for  the  utmost  liberty  of  action,  both  as  to  food  and  drink.  He  claimed 
that  alcoholic  liquids  were  not  injurious  if  used  in  moderation,  and 
that  less  injury  to  mankind  came  from  liquor,  than  would  follow  the 
practice  of  total  abstinence,  if  practiced  by  a nation,  for  a few  gene- 
rations. He  believed  that  a stimulant,  such  as  alcohol,  was  neces- 
sary for  the  development  of  the  best  intellect  of  mankind,  and  that  of 
all  stimulants,  alcoholic  beverages  were  the  best.  He  claimed  that  the 
decay  of  the  victorious  Mahommedans  began  when  Mahomet  ordered 
his  people  to  eschew  the  use  of  wine,  and  he  argued  that  every  civil- 
ized nation,  both  ancient  and  modern,  consumed  alcoholic  beverages 
which  were  necessary  to  development,  but  he  decried  dissipation  in 
alcohol  or  other  substances.  While  Dr.  Greve  admitted  that  individ- 
uals might  be  indiscreet  and  abuse  this  friend  to  humanity,  he  claimed 
that  this  abuse  was  largely  due  to  the  fanatical  clamor  of  prohibition- 
ists, who  did  not  distinguish  between  the  use  of  a friend  and  the 
abuse  of  friendship.  He  lamented  the  fact  that  men  of  intelligence 
would  permit  their  children  to  go  out  into  the  world  without  a proper 
understanding  of  the  good  use  that  might  be  made  of  alcoholic  bever- 
ages in  moderation,  and  to  these  men  he  laid  much  of  the  blame  of 
drunkenness  among  weak  people  who  drink  to  excess.  But,  notwith- 
standing that  much  abuse  of  liquor  is  practiced,  Dr.  Greve  contended, 
that  were  it  not  for  alcoholic  liquor,  civilization  would  retreat,  and  that 
a great  part  of  mankind,  after  a few  generations,  would  degenerate.  • 

As  concerns  religion,  Dr.  Greve  wras  not  less  positive  nor  less  irreg- 
ular. He  was  an  agnostic  in  that  he  had  no  confidence  in  the  know- 
ledge of  any  man  concerning  a personal  God.  He  contended  that 
this  entire  matter  of  the  hereafter  was  a perfect  blank,  as  far  as  man- 
kind is  concerned.  He  claimed  that  the  ideal  life  consisted  in  “the 
living  well,”  and  that  the  ceasing  to  breathe  was  as  natural  as  the 
beginning  to  breathe.  He  had  no  fear  of  death  nor  of  anything  after 
death,  and  when  he  came  to  die,  as  if  to  support  his  argument,  he  lay 
down  on  the  sofa,  and  without  a struggle,  as  gently  as  a babe  goes  to 
sleep,  ceased  to  breathe.  Such  was  the  life  and  manner  of  death  of 
this  friend  of  mankind,  whose  portrait  faces  these  pages.  A kind 
husband  and  father,  an  open  advocate  of  whatever  he  believed  to  be 
right,  regardless  of  self,  no  less  an  antagonist  of  wrong  as  he  saw  it. 

The  charities  of  Dr.  Greve  were  many,  and  freely  extended  to  those 
he  deemed  worthy  of  receiving  them.  This  is  not  an  idle  assertion, 
but  one  based  on  knowledge  of  his  deeds.  Still,  no  publicity  was 
ever  desired  by  him  concerning  these  acts  which  he  considered  but  as 
the  duty  a fortunate  man  owed  to  those  in  misfortune. 


3 


2 09868 


877 


Q 

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8 SARCOMA. 

In  his  business  affairs  he  was  the  soul  of  honor.  His  word  was  his 
bond,  and  perfect  fairness  to  those  with  whom  he  dealt  was  the  rule 
that  ever  guided  him. 

A year  has  passed  since,  as  one  of  his  close  friends,  at  the  request 
of  the  family,  I spoke  a few  final  words  and  read  a few  appropriate 
selections  beside  his  casket,  for  it  was  thought  befitting  that  an  old 
friend  who  knew  him  well  should  do  this.  A year  has  passed  since, 
beside  that  open  grave,  we  who  mourned  stood  in  the  snow,  and  yet 
it  seems  as  if  it  were  but  yesterday  that  I spoke  the  words  which 
follow : 

“Here  rests  at  last  in  everlasting  rest,  the  mortal  form  of  our  brother 
and  loved  one.  Go,  give  thy  body  to  the  air,  the  waters,  and  the 
plants,  for  it  belongs  to  them.  Earth  to  earth,  ashes  to  ashes,  dust 
to  dust.”  John  Uri  Lloyd. 


